The shoot

The simplicity of the idea meant that very little could go wrong. 

It was staged in a bedroom, with a dark covered draped between 2 chairs to form a dark background to the composition. A small table was place in front of the cover. 

On the table was placed the Guinness, the 2 birds and the manuscript with pen. The scene was lit from the left side using an adjustable brightness lamp.

The camera was set up on the tripod. It was set to f.4 and a shutter speed of 2 seconds. The brightness of the lamp was altered to keep keep the light readings within a suitable range.

Both the height and distance from which the compositions were taken was altered, as was the arrangement of the objects on the table. At one point one of the paper birds was placed into the pint glass, sitting on the froth of the Guinness.

Once both roles of film had been shot the scene and camera was tidied away. The next day they were dropped in to be developed.